ˈbābəl, ˈba- noun
( -s )
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: from the Tower of Babel, biblical structure (Gen 11:4-9) that was erected for the purpose of reaching heaven and incurred the wrath of God, who as punishment made the builder's speech mutually unintelligible, from Assyro-Babylonian bāb-ilu gate of god
1.
a. : a confusion or medley of sounds, voices, languages, or ideas
such a babel ! Everyone talking at once and nobody listening to anyone — Hugh Walpole
a babel of birds fills the nearby woods — Joseph Chiari
a babel of controversy — Gene Baro
b. : a place or scene of noise or confusion, especially of mingled and confused noises
all races and nationalities meet and talk in the streets to make the town a babel
2.
a. : a lofty or towering structure
b. : an excessively grandiose or visionary scheme or project
the babel of their ambitions must totter to the ground
Synonyms: see din